Desiree Champion joined Realmark as a 19-year-old in 2014 as an accounts assistant, before working her way up to her current position of finance manager in the years to follow.
She credits the organisation’s support and belief in her, as well as her own personal ambition, for her ability to stay passionate about her work over a long period of time while still in her 20s.
“My long-term goal has always been to be a CFO and I’ve made that clear, and Realmark has always supported me in putting me on a path to achieve that,” she said.
“Every time I've said I wanted to learn more, I’ve been offered the opportunity to study, I’ve been given access to the company’s accountants where I’ve developed a great relationship and completed additional training.
“I’ve never been told, you can't do that, it’s always how can we help you achieve your goals.”
Since commencing her Realmark career, Desiree has started her own family – something she accepted would be a setback to her career.
However, she was offered the flexibility to continue contributing at a high-level at a commitment level to suit her and her family.
“I don't know if every workplace would be that supportive,” she said.
“The opportunity I have to work from home around my kids nap schedules - I didn't think I would get that. I thought after I had my son I'm not going to be able to go back to work full time so I'm not going to have a job and I just kind of had to accept that.”
“But instead, I was told, no, you do whatever hours you need to and as long as you get the work done we’re happy, so that support to me is the reason I’ve stayed so long.”
As part of the corporate team at Realmark headquarters, Desiree works closely with founders John and Anita Percudani, while being mentored by CFO Ben Della Vedova and former CFO Justin Baker.
She said the trust and training given to her by that group in particular has been pivotal in her own personal growth.
“Everything I've learned has been what people have showed me here, I think Justin and Ben have really helped me in that regard, they're always happy to show me how to do anything, I can ask any questions or refer to the accountants if I need to,” she said.
“As a result I’ve developed the confidence and maturity to step into important meetings with external parties to represent Realmark. That’s something I don’t think I would have been able to do even five years ago.”
She said she still loves everything about her job and couldn’t imagine life in a different organisation.
“I'm so lucky that I have a company that supports me, it’s so amazing to be surrounded by people who want to teach me things and want me to grow and not remain in the same role forever.”
Congratulations to Desiree Champion on 10 years at Realmark!